Edited Jul. 24, 2020 at 6:28 p.m.
Quoting: jslongo
How did you come to the conclusion that he isnt elite?
Quoting: bunzy1034
LOL if he didn't get injured he would deserve the Norris this year the way he was playing....
Quoting: Dan10900
he is a top 5 d man in the league easily, idk but that seems pretty damn elite to me
Quoting: KakkoForMauriceRichardAward
Except he’s a top 5 d-man in the League
Quoting: ldubs572
The way Dougie was playing this year... very elite. Idk how you re-sign him tho.
Quoting: littlejerryseinfeld
My guess is he signs somewhere for max term and 10 million a year or more
Signing UFA aged players for max term and dollar just isn't wise in the salary cap world.
The Eichel, McDavid, Draisaitl and even Chabot RFA max term and dollar deals are the smartest NHL decisions. Look at the the Sharks DCore, Burns, Vlasic and Karlsson, each UFA long term max dollar contract that's turn them from Cup contenders to bottom feeders.
Doughty and Kopitar in LA, a Cup winning team, those UFA contract given out set the Kings into Lottery Draft pick team. Heck even the Hawks went from Cup Dynasty, to rebuild mode, after those silly contracts to UFA aged players were handed out. Even the Leafs looked handcuffed right now ,by handing a long term top dollar to Tavares, which is putting restraints on keeping the young core together.
Seriously Hamilton can be the next Phaneuf.